Flash Movie Review: Under the Skin

The words coming out of his mouth never quite settled down in my head. I understood each word, but strung together they were like sheets flapping in the wind. All the individuals in my tour group sat attentively with their heads moving from side to side, as if they were watching a tennis match. We were in a museum and our tour guide was giving a lecture about the large, abstract art piece that was squatting in front of us. The people around me kept looking back and forth between the guide and the art piece, as if they were witnessing the creation of a new species. I sat there perplexed because I was evidently not seeing the things that everyone else were focusing on when gazing at this large, colorful mass of steel and paper. To me the object looked like a massive teepee that was starting to lift up its skirt as a front porch wrapped partially around it, with odd shaped geometrical flags sticking out that had been starched to stiffness. I guess I am not an art connoisseur like the others because I was not getting the whole thing. Everyone reacts to art in different ways; I understood it having grown up in an artistic family. But as I looked around it appeared I was the odd man out. Gratefully that was not the case with this science fiction thriller. From director Jonathan Glazer (Sexy Beast, Birth) the visual aspects of this film festival nominated drama was both curious and enticing. It was this component of the movie that kept my interest. Some of the scenes were fascinating due to the camera angles and the effects. Filmed in Scotland, Scarlett Johansson (Hitchcock, We Bought a Zoo) played an alien who preyed on lone single men. There was very little dialog and I gave Scarlett credit in her ability to convey the emotions of her character. I am willing to bet there will be people who sit through this unusual movie and afterwards spend hours debating the symbolism they felt was there. I, on the other hand, do not want to work that hard when I go see a film. So I must tell you I had no idea what the movie was about and when I typed the word “gratefully” earlier it was because the viewers around me said the same thing at the end of the picture. I could come up with things I assumed but they would only be my take on the film and everyone will have their own opinion; so what is the point?

2 1/2 stars

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About moviejoltz

From a long line of movie afficionados, one brother was the #1 renter of movies in the country with Blockbuster, I am following in the same traditions that came before me. To balance out the long hours seated in dark movie theaters, I also teach yoga and cycling. For the past 3 years, I have correctly picked the major Oscar winners... so join me as we explore the wonder of movies and search for that perfect 4 star movie.

Nowhere near as confusing or metaphorical as so may are making it out to be, but yes, the typical lazy response from audience members is expected. We’ve grown so used to conventional and middlebrow that anything that challenges becomes “too artsy”. This is a terrific film, that I knew I’d have to catch at my local theater quickly before it disappeared. It was gone in a week, so I’m happy I got there in time. People will scoff at something that works their brain, and then rave to me about garbage like “Saving Mr. Banks”. I do appreciate your honesty, but I also wish that more movie-goers liked to exercise their intellect a bit more. ML

And yes, the obvious claim follows from someone that says if one doesn’t “get it”, then no one can. Claudy could have 3 Master’s degrees, and be much more intelligent than me, for all I know. But as a lover of film and a lifetime student of its “art”, I most certainly “got” “Under the Skin”. ML

I understand totally, what one person may understand the next one may not. This is why I keep my reviews personal and avoid saying things like “you should do this or that.” Thanks again for the comments.

You are a very polite man, and I respect your candor and point of view. There have been many films where I’ve agreed with you totally, but I tend to only comment on the more challenging stuff. Feel free to click on my blog for my take on “Under the Skin”. ML

Well thank you for your kind words. I am glad to have met you and admire your dedicated love of movies. Also, I truly enjoy seeing a movie through someone else’s eyes via their words. I certainly will continue checking your blog, thanks again.